Method and apparatus for content curation

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, modifying a user profile associated with a user associated with a content service to generate an updated user profile according to consumption of media content by the user and user feedback information associated with the consumption of the media content, determining a user context according to information associated with user device, where the user context includes current activity of the user, modifying a set of media content according to the user context that is determined to generate an updated set of media content, where a type of media content is eliminated from the set of media content in the updated set of media content according to the user context, and presenting the updated set of content at a presentation device of the user via a personal media channel of the user associated with the content service. Other embodiments are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to a method and system for contentcuration.

BACKGROUND

Modern telecommunications systems allow consumers to utilize telephonycapabilities while accessing a large variety of content. Consumers areno longer bound to specific locations when communicating with others orwhen enjoying content, including video programming. Network capabilitieshave expanded and have created additional interconnections and newopportunities for using mobile communication devices in a variety ofsituations. Intelligent devices offer new means for the enjoyment ofnetwork interactions in ways that anticipate consumer desires. Withhundreds of TV channels and virtually unlimited amount of online media,subscription content consumers may be frustrated at the difficulty oflocating their favorite content and looking for an alternative toactively selecting between channels or finding content via guides ortext searches. Consumers may traverse different devices, locations, oractivities and find that their content preferences change with thesediffering contexts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts illustrative embodiments of a system that can be utilizedfor customer specific content curation;

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a scenario for contentcuration via user profiles;

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method used in portionsof the system described in FIGS. 1-2 and 4-5;

FIGS. 4-5 depict illustrative embodiments of communication systems thatprovide media services illustrated in FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal forinteracting with the communication systems of FIGS. 1-2 and 4-5;

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device; and

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for media content curation. A media content curator canmodify a user profile associated with a user associated with a contentservice to generate an updated user profile according to consumption ofmedia content and user feedback information. The media content curatorcan determine a user context according to information associated withuser device. The media content curator can modify a set of media contentaccording to the user context to generate an updated set of mediacontent. The media content curator can present the updated set ofcontent at a presentation device of the user via a personal mediachannel of the user associated with the content service. Otherembodiments are described in the subject disclosure.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a device,including a processing system including a processor and a memory thatstores executable instructions that, when executed by the processingsystem, facilitate performance of operations. The operations can includemonitoring consumption of media content by a user associated with acontent service. The operations can also include accessing user feedbackinformation associated with the consumption of the media content. Theuser feedback information can be based on an implicit user reaction tothe media content. The operations can further include modifying a userprofile associated with the user to generate an updated user profileaccording to the consumption of the media content and the user feedbackinformation associated with the consumption of the media content. Theoperations can include selecting set of media content for a personalmedia channel associated with the user according to the updated userprofile. The operations can include determining a user context accordingto information associated with user device, and, in turn, modifying theset of media content according to the user context that is determined togenerate an updated set of media content. The user context can includecurrent activity of the user and a type of media content be eliminatedfrom the set of media content in the updated set of media contentaccording to the user context. The operations can also includepresenting the updated set of media content at a presentation device ofthe user via a personal media channel of the user associated with thecontent service.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a method. Themethod can include modifying, by a processing system including aprocessor, a user profile associated with a user associated with acontent service to generate an updated user profile according toconsumption of media content by the user and user feedback informationassociated with the consumption of the media content. The method canalso include selecting, by the processing system, set of media contentfor a personal media channel associated with the user according to theupdated user profile. The method can further include determining, by theprocessing system, a user context according to information associatedwith user device, and, in turn, modifying, by the processing system, theset of media content according to the user context that is determined togenerate an updated set of media content. The user context can includecurrent activity of the user. A type of media content can be eliminatedfrom the set of media content in the updated set of media contentaccording to the user context. The method can include presenting, by theprocessing system, the updated set of media content at a presentationdevice of the user via a personal media channel of the user associatedwith the content service.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a non-transitory,machine-readable medium, comprising executable instructions that, whenexecuted by a processing system including a processor, facilitateperformance of operations. The operations can include modifying a userprofile associated with a user associated with a content service togenerate an updated user profile according to consumption of mediacontent by the user and user feedback information associated with theconsumption of the media content. The operations can also includedetermining a user context according to information associated with userdevice, and, in turn, modifying a set of media content according to theuser context that is determined to generate an updated set of mediacontent. A type of media content can be eliminated from the set of mediacontent in the updated set of media content according to the usercontext. The user context can include current activity of the user. Theoperations can include presenting the updated set of media content at apresentation device of the user via a personal media channel of the userassociated with the content service.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system 100 that can beutilized for providing media content to communication devices 116,computer devices 118, or other devices 108 via a communication network150. In one or more embodiments, the system 100 can include acommunication network 150. For example, the system 100 can include asubscription telecommunication service, such as an Internet ProtocolMultimedia Subsystem (IMS) network for providing cellular/mobilecommunications, Internet access, and content to mobile communicationdevices 116, computer devices 118, or media display devices 108 (such astelevisions) via a mobility network of mobile base stations 117. Thesystem can include a media content service 160 for providing mediacontent to subscribers. The communication network can be part of acable, satellite, or DSL-based media content delivery system. The mediacontent can be any type of viewable content, such as broadcasttelevision, cable or premium television, streaming video on demand,and/or pay-per-view services. The media content service 160 can providemedia content to media processing devices 106 and media display devices108 at subscriber locations via gateway devices 104. In one or moreembodiments, the system 100 can include computer devices 118 that areconnected to the communication network 150 in wireless or wiredconfiguration. For example, a wireless computer device 118 can becoupled to the communication network 150 via a gateway device 104.

In one or more embodiments, the system 100 can provide wired andwireless access to communication services and media services for mobilecommunication devices 116, computer devices 118, and media processordevices 106. For example, a mobile communication device 116 cancommunicate through the network 150 via a cellular network includingbase stations 117 and/or a gateway device 104 using wirelesscommunications. In various embodiments, the mobile communication device116 can access Internet-based services via the network 150. In anotherexample, a media presentation device 108 can communicate, via a mediaprocessor device 106, with the network 150 or with a communicationsatellite 115 via a satellite receiving device 129. In one or moreembodiments, communication devices 116, 118, or 108 can access the firstapplication 174 and/or a second application 176. The first and secondapplication 174 and 176 can be third-party services, such as socialmedia sites, news sites, streaming media sites, service providers,service carriers, and/or search sites.

In one or more embodiments, the system 100 can incorporate functions ofa service provider and/or network carrier for offering services of theprovider/carrier and/or services from third parties. The system 100 canprovide databases 165, which include a set of parameters for each userand/or subscriber to the system 100. For example, the system 100 caninclude a user profile database 165. The user profile database 165 caninclude subscriber and/or user profile information of a variety oftypes. These types can include personal identification information,demographic information, location information, subscription serviceinformation, device configuration information, and/or preferenceinformation. The user profile information that is stored in the userprofile database 165 that can be used by the system 100 to provideconsumer-specific performance of the system 100 as user communicationdevices 116, 118, and 106 access services from and/or through the system100. For example, when a mobile communication device 116 is powered onand registers to the network 150, the network 150 can access a userprofile database 165 obtain profile information that is associated withthe mobile communication device 116 and/or a user of the device 116. Inaddition, the network 150 can access the user profile database 165 forprofile information as the communication device 116 accesses theservices of the network 150.

In one or more embodiments, the system 100 can include a media contentcurator 130. The media content curator 130 can manage one or morepersonal media channels for users and/or subscribers of the mediacontent service 160. In one embodiment, the media content curator 130can select media content that will be included on the personal channel.The media content 130 can access user profile information from the userprofile database 165 and can analyze explicit and implicit userpreferences. For example, a user can provide the media content service160 with explicit preferences via a list of media content that the userprefers, such as by indicating a rating of current or previous contentthat the user has viewed. In another example, the media content curatorcan infer content preferences by analyzing the user's historic viewingpatterns, interactions with the content, such as fast forwarding, and/orinteractions on social media.

In one embodiment, implicit information can be used by the media contentcurator for determining selections and/or recommendations withoutaccessing explicit user preferences. That is, the media content curatorcan analyze historic viewing patterns, social media interactions, and/oruser interactions with the content, such as fast forwarding, to makeinferences as to the user's implicit opinions regarding media contentand can use these inferences without referring to data, where the userhas provided explicit likes/dislikes or media types/titles. The mediacontent curator can thereby move entirely away from the need for directuser expressions and toward an implicit-only model of the user'spreferences.

In one embodiment, the media content curator 130 can use the user'spreferences to select content that will be presented to the user on oneor more personalized channels. In one example, the personalized channelcan be presented to the user as part of a subscription televisionservice. The personalized channel can be a default channel that appearswhenever a user activates her television 108. The personalized channelcan appear as a choice on an electronic program guide (EPG) or as anoverlay on another channel. In one example, the personalized channel canbe presented to the user via an application, such as an Internetaccessible site for viewing media content.

In one or more embodiments, the media content curator 130 can receiveinformation describing a user's current context. In one embodiment, userinteractions with a communication device 116 can be used to determine acurrent user context. The current context can be determined at the userdevice 116, the media content service 160, and/or the media contentcurator 130. For example, the location of the user device, time ofusage, and/or calendar information can allow the system 100 to determinethat the user is on vacation. The media content curator 130 can use thisinformation to update the set of media content that is chosen for thepersonalized channel to reflect differences in content types thatreflect user preferences in the vacation setting as opposed to a normalwork week setting.

With hundreds of TV channels and virtually unlimited amount of onlinemedia, user can be overwhelmed at the available choices whileexperiencing difficulty in locating their favorite content. In one ormore embodiments, rather than relying on the user to actively tune tovarious channels and/or to search through programming guides, the system100 can provide a personalized channel that provides the user with themedia content that they truly want. Further, as a user's contextchanges—using different devices, moving between locations andactivities—their preferences for media content are likely to change.Rather than asking the user to juggle between playlists based onlocation or preference, the system can automatically adjust for thesecontextual changes for the user and can acquire and apply similarcontextual patterns of other users to make personalized channel choicesthat reflect deep human contexts.

In one or more embodiments, the media content curator 130 can create apersonalized channel for each customer. The personalized channel can bea compilation of video clips from live content, video on demand,recorded content, as well as online videos. In one embodiment, a programlist in the personalized channel can be updated in real time accordingto one or more factors. For example, the program list can be updated toreflect a user's context, such as the current time, the user's location,viewing preference, viewing habit/history, user mood or sentiment, andsocial media trends. For example, if the user tunes to her personalchannel at 6:30 pm on her set top box at home, the personal channel canshow her the NBC Nightly News based on past viewing history and userpreferences. If the same user tunes to the personal channel at 10:00 amusing her mobile device at the office, the personal channel may show herbreaking news or short video clips from the prior evening's late nighttalk shows.

In one or more embodiments, the media content curator can includetargeted advertisements in the personal channel. For example, a targetedadvertisement can be inserted into selected media content. The targetedadvertisement can be based on the media content and/or the user'scontext. For example, the media content curator 130 can access a user'sviewing history and/or trending topics on a social media application 174in which the user participates. The media content curator 130 can applyadvanced machine learning and multimedia analytics technologies to theuser preference and context information to infer user moods and desiresthat can be useful in determining advertising that may make successfulconsumer impressions on the user.

In one or more embodiments, the media content curator 130 can providepassive content recommendations via one or more sub-channels displayedat the personal channel or on one or more personal channels. The mediacontent curator 130 can be constructed to provide diversity (e.g., manyvideo streams and/or channels) along with pre-planned, long-runningstreams (e.g. programming for a whole day that may be dynamicallyshuffled).

In one or more embodiments, the media content curator 130 can deeplyunderstand the ever-changing user context and can update the personalchannel programming and targeted ads in real time. The media contentcurator 130 can use properties, characteristics, and/or patterns in theuser's location, profile, and/or social media, to select and to updatemedia content recommended in the personal channel or channels. Therecommendations can vary over time (e.g. more news focused in themorning or more drama focused in evening) as the user's context changes.For example, the media content curator can make itsselections/recommendations to account for the fact that the user tendsto consume different media content in different locations or pastimes(e.g., workweek vs. vacation). In one or more embodiments, the mediacontent curator can link user context and media content using machinelearning. The machine learning can deduce connections between historicalviewership and media content consumption by this user, or other users,particular with respect to types of media content (e.g., image, audio,or keyword).

In one or more embodiments, the media content curator 130 can provide aneffortless and personalized experience to the user via the personalizedchannel. Content cab consumed in a user-friendly environment without aneed for searching out content by searching programming guides orchannel surfing. As a result, the user may not accidently miss any mediacontent that the user finds interesting or important. In one or moreembodiments, the media content curator 130 can use context sensitivityto enables the customer to consume content easily in differentsituations. For example, while driving, the personal channel can providethe user with audio-only choices. While at the office, the personalchannel can provide headline news in a text-only format. While at home,the personal channel can provide a set of media content choices forfull-4K, video playback.

In one or more embodiments, the media content curator 130 can enableusers to share their personal channels with one other. Users can selectmultiple other users, who are given access to the user's personalchannel. Likewise, the user can view multiple personal channels fromother users. In one or more embodiments, the media content service 160can enable the insertion of highly-directed advertisements, improvedcustomer retention, and/or enhanced content value. In one or moreembodiments, the media content curator 130 can provide recommendationsthat tap into older content from a content catalog, including historicalsegments that can provide additional revenue.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a scenario for contentcuration via user profiles. An exemplary flow diagram is shown, where amedia content curator 130 adapts a personal channel via user profile anduser context information. At data flow 1, a new user can subscribe to aperson channel (e.g., “my channel”) service offered by the media contentservice 160. At flow 1.1, the user can provide to the media contentservice 160 certain profile information, including keywords andhistorical background. In one embodiment, the user can provide socialmedia connections to social media sites 174 or other vendor sites 176,which can be accessed by media content curator 130. The user can provideinformation regarding prior viewership data or relationships with othervendors, which can be used for marketing and/or determining subjectpreferences. The resulting, initial user profile can represent acombined “active plus passive” user profile that can form a “user model”for understanding both the user's media content consumption and theirpotential consumer interests. At flow 1.2, view history information ofthe user can be accessed. Viewing feedback information can be extractedfrom this history. For example, explicit viewing reactions (e.g., I likeor don't like this content) can be obtained. In another example,implicit reactions (e.g., I watched this content, I repeatedly watchedthe content or sections of the content, I laughed at this content) mayalso be obtained.

In one or more embodiments, at flow 2, the user can begin to consumemedia content through that has been recommended to user based on theinitial user profile and viewing history of the user and the systemrefines the user profile. At flow 2.1, the media content curator 130 canobserve a user's media consumption to and can log varying locations,times, genres, and content types. At flow 2.2, the media content curator130 can include these media consumption variations while learningpreferences of the user that are included in the user profile. The usercan also explicitly influence the user profile via suggestions (e.g., Ilike documentaries).

In one or more embodiments, at flow 3, the media content curator 130 cansuggest new sub-channels in the personal channel, or new personalchannels, based on user context information, such as the time of day,the location, and/or the user mood. At flow 3.1, the media contentcurator 130 can intelligently couple media content, such as livebroadcasts, unwatched content that the user has queued/preferred before,and/or historical content that is recommended by other contexts. Forexample, the media content curator 130 can use recommendations fromsocial posts, content sources (e.g., CNN), and/or world events. At flow3.2, the media content curator 130 may always maintains one or morechannels, and may, optionally, expose a full playlist of selected mediacontent (e.g. a traditional program guide) for long-term review. At flow3.3, the media content curator 130 can observe one or more playbackdevices utilized by the user for reproduction of the content. Forexample, the user's mobile communication device 116, computer device118, media processor device 106, and/or media display device 108 canprovide information to the media content curator 130 regardinginteractions of the user with playback applications. The playbackinformation can be used to correlate recommendations to active content.

In one or more embodiments, at flow 4, the media content curator 130can, optionally, send one or more “alerts” to the user's presentationdevice, such as a mobile communication device 116. The “alerts” maypreempt the personal channel at the communication device 116 withtime-sensitive media content and relevant recommendations based on thatmedia content. The media content curator 130 can further analyze aviewing duration and a syntax of media content (e.g. long-form drama orshort-form joke segment) and the location of the device. At flow 4.1,the user profile can be modified to include user consumption patterns atthese times. At flow 4.2, as an optional feature, the media contentcurator 130 can provide relevant advertising via location-contentbridges for the user to consume.

In one or more embodiments, at flow 5, the media content curator 130 candetermine that the user is viewing media content at an unusual deviceand/or location. For example, the user may have gone on vacation. Atflow 5.1, the media content curator 130 can update the set of mediacontent that is recommended at one or more personal channels. The updaterecommendation can correspond with similarly-pooled and/orsimilarly-filtered recommendations for users in this location. Forexample, the media content curator can bootstrap a recommendation from alocation-based crowd and/or from neighbors within a similar context. Atflow 5.2, the media content curator 130 may, optionally, determine usercontext from the user's federated services (e.g. calendar applicationand/or social media viewing) and may create an event that modifies therecommendations of the personal channel. At flow 5.3, the media contentcurator 130 may, optionally, provide alternate recommendations, such asrecommending a short-form joke segment in the morning, even where theuser's typical genre/format differs from short-form joke segments. Atflow 5.4, multiple personal channels can be selected or reviewed, whichcan indicate a feedback/preference to system.

In one or more embodiments, at flow 6, the media content curator 130 canalso feed information from the individual back to the user device asaggregated data insights. At flow 6.1, the media content curator 130 canoffer preferences, location, and/or consumption information as aninsight suite to advertisers, system planners, and/or content creators.At flow 6.2, the media content curator 130 can generate an “ad-words”type of formulation, which can be offered to advertisers, who arebidding richer exposure to users. At flow 6.3, the media content curator130 may, optionally, include an opt-in provision, where users arecompensated for providing preference insights.

In one or more embodiments, the system 100 can determine which onlinevideos may be of interest to the user. For example, the media contentcurator 130 can search online video aggregation collects based onkeywords, derived from the user profile, that correspond to matters ofinterested to the user. The media content curator 130 can also createsocial connections with other users, who have proven to exhibit viewinghabits similar to those of the user. The media content curator 130 canmine these social media resources for postings or references to mediacontent that may well prove to be of interest to the user. In anotherembodiment, the media content curator 130 can recommend, within thepersonal channel, content that is not owned or available to the user viathe subscription agreement. The media content curator 130 can offer toprocure media content that should be of interest to the user, based onthe user profile and context.

In one or more embodiments, the media content curator 130 can recommendmedia content at the personal channel that is highly location dependent.For example, if the user is traveling in New York City, then the mediacontent curator 130 can anticipated that the user may be very interestedin local news/events in the New York City area. In another example, themedia content curator 130 can insert advertising based on the locationcontext as the user nears a location of a store or restaurant.

In one or more embodiments, the media content curator 130 canincorporate into the personal channel home video or other content thatis generated by the user. For example, the user can provide the mediacontent curator 130 with access to home videos from a recent vacation.The media content curator 130 can generate a highlight or summary of thevideos and insert these generated version into the personal channel as aviewing option. In one embodiment, during a playback of media content,the media content curator 130 can provide recommendations foralternative content, particularly, if the user's context changes. Forexample, if the user's location changes or if the user changes to adifferent device, the media content curator 130 can provide a newrecommendation, media playback, of one or more media content items thatmay be a better fit for the new context.

In one or more embodiments, the media content curator 130 cancontinuously collect the user's feedback, including explicit feedback(e.g., voting for like or dislike) and/or implicit feedback (e.g., fastforward, skipping content, tune to regular channels while certaincontent is being played, etc.). The media content curator 130 can usethe feedback information to continuously update and improve the userprofile and preference modeling associated with the user. In oneembodiment, the media content at the personal channel can includedynamic content. For example, clips of breaking news videos or ofinteresting new videos just uploaded by the user's friends may beinserted into the personal channel even as the customer is viewinganother media content item.

In one or more embodiments, the media content curator 130 can aggregateand recommend media content at various levels or lengths. For example,the media content curator 130 can recommend the program level mediacontent (e.g. the entire 1 hour episode) and/or sub-program level mediacontent (e.g., the 10 minute monologue at the beginning of a talk show).In one embodiment, the media content curator 130 can segment long formcontent (e.g. half hour news program) into a series of stories. Themedia content curator 130 can select for the personal channel only thosestories or video clips (e.g., 5 minutes report to a specific news) thatthe user profile and context indicate as being of interest.

In one or more embodiments, the media content curator 130 can combinerelated content from multiple channels (e.g., reports of a breaking newsfrom ABC and CBS) together at the personal channel to form a morecomplete coverage for the user. In one embodiment, the media contentcurator 130 can use the context of the user (e.g., location, mood, time,device, surrounding environment, etc.) to determine when to present theselection on the personal channel or when to schedule presentation ofthe item. The media content curator 130 can also use the content fordetermining a format and/or a delivery scheme. For example, if thecontext indicates that the user is currently using a mobilecommunication device while jogging, then the media content curator 130can determine that the best format for a media content item is audioonly (e.g., a podcast). Similarly, if the context indicates somelimitations with respect to network connectivity and/or bandwidth, thenthe media content curator 130 may select a media content item that ispre-loaded onto the current user device.

In one or more embodiments, the media content curator 130 can provide a“just missed” channel. The “just missed” channel can feature “live”content that the media content curator 130 had highlighted for theuser's attention at a particular time, but that the user had not viewedduring live broadcast. For example some events, such as a sporting or atalent show contests, are broadcast as co-watching events, where mostusers want to enjoy viewing/participation at the time of broadcast.However, the user may be unavailable during the time of broadcast, ormaybe viewing a different selection (e.g., another live event). In sucha case, the user will miss a live event that was featured by the mediacontent curator 130. The media content curator 130 can respond to thissituation by offering the user another opportunity to enjoy items thatthe user has missed. For example, the media content curator 130 candirect a digital video recorder (DVR) at a user's device, such as aset-top box, or at a network or cloud-based system to automaticallycapture the live content during original broadcast. The media contentcurator 130 can then offer the formerly live content to the user via thepersonal channel or via an additional personal “just missed” channel.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method operating in orusing portions of the system described in FIGS. 1 and 2. Method 300 canbegin with step 304, in which media content curator 130 can monitormedia content consumption of a user. In step 307, the media contentcurator 130 can access user feedback from the media consumption. Thefeedback can be explicit or implicit. In step 312, the media contentcurator 130 can update the user profile based on the content consumptionand the user feedback.

In step 316, the media content curator 130 can select a set of mediacontent for a personal media channel based on the updated user profile.In step 320, the media content curator 130 can determine a user contextbased on information from a user device. In step 324, the media contentcurator 130 can update the set of media content to reflect the usercontext and, in step 328, present the updated set of media content atthe personal media channel.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respectiveprocesses are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 3, it isto be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is notlimited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methods described herein.

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 400for providing various communication services, such as delivering mediacontent. The communication system 400 can represent an interactive medianetwork, such as an interactive television system (e.g., an InternetProtocol Television (IPTV) media system). Communication system 400 canbe overlaid or operably coupled with [refer to system 100 of FIG. 1 asanother representative embodiment of communication system 400. Forinstance, one or more devices illustrated in the communication system400 of FIG. 4 can modify a user profile associated with a userassociated with a content service to generate an updated user profileaccording to consumption of media content and user feedback information,determine a user context according to information associated with userdevice, modify a set of media content according to the user context togenerate an updated set of media content, and present the updated set ofcontent at a presentation device of the user via a personal mediachannel of the user associated with the content service.

In one or more embodiments, the communication system 400 can include asuper head-end office (SHO) 410 with at least one super headend officeserver (SHS) 411 which receives media content from satellite and/orterrestrial communication systems. In the present context, media contentcan represent, for example, audio content, moving image content such as2D or 3D videos, video games, virtual reality content, still imagecontent, and combinations thereof. The SHS server 411 can forwardpackets associated with the media content to one or more video head-endservers (VHS) 414 via a network of video head-end offices (VHO) 412according to a multicast communication protocol. The VHS 414 candistribute multimedia broadcast content via an access network 418 tocommercial and/or residential buildings 402 housing a gateway 404 (suchas a residential or commercial gateway).

The access network 418 can represent a group of digital subscriber lineaccess multiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a servicearea interface that provide broadband services over fiber optical linksor copper twisted pairs 419 to buildings 402. The gateway 404 can usecommunication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 406 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 408 such as computers or televisionsets managed in some instances by a media controller 407 (such as aninfrared or RF remote controller).

The gateway 404, the media processors 406, and media devices 408 canutilize tethered communication technologies (such as coaxial, powerlineor phone line wiring) or can operate over a wireless access protocolsuch as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, or other presentor next generation local or personal area wireless network technologies.By way of these interfaces, unicast communications can also be invokedbetween the media processors 406 and subsystems of the IPTV media systemfor services such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronicprogramming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.

A satellite broadcast television system 429 can be used in the mediasystem of FIG. 4. The satellite broadcast television system can beoverlaid, operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 400. In thisembodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 415 that include mediacontent can be received by a satellite dish receiver 431 coupled to thebuilding 402. Modulated signals received by the satellite dish receiver431 can be transferred to the media processors 406 for demodulating,decoding, encoding, and/or distributing broadcast channels to the mediadevices 408. The media processors 406 can be equipped with a broadbandport to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 432 to enableinteractive services such as VoD and EPG as described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital cable broadcastdistribution system such as cable TV system 433 can be overlaid,operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system and/or the satelliteTV system as another representative embodiment of communication system400. In this embodiment, the cable TV system 433 can also provideInternet, telephony, and interactive media services. System 400 enablesvarious types of interactive television and/or services including IPTV,cable and/or satellite.

The subject disclosure can apply to other present or next generationover-the-air and/or landline media content services system.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 430, a portion of which can operate as aweb server for providing web portal services over the ISP network 432 towireline media devices 408 or wireless communication devices 416.

Communication system 400 can also provide for all or a portion of thecomputing devices 430 to function as a media content curator 130described in FIG. 1. The media content curator 430 can use computing andcommunication technology to perform function 462, which can includeamong other things, the media content curation techniques described bymethod 300 of FIG. 3. For instance, function 462 of server 430 can besimilar to the functions described for the media content curator 130 ofFIG. 1 in accordance with method 300. The media processors 406 andwireless communication devices 416 can be provisioned with softwarefunctions 464 and 466, respectively, to utilize the services of mediacontent curator 430. For instance, functions 464 and 466 of mediaprocessors 406 and wireless communication devices 416 can be similar tothe functions described for the communication devices 116. 118, 106, and108 of FIG. 1 in accordance with method 300.

Multiple forms of media services can be offered to media devices overlandline technologies such as those described above. Additionally, mediaservices can be offered to media devices by way of a wireless accessbase station 417 operating according to common wireless access protocolssuch as Global System for Mobile or GSM, Code Division Multiple Accessor CDMA, Time Division Multiple Access or TDMA, Universal MobileTelecommunications or UMTS, World interoperability for Microwave orWiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, Long Term Evolution or LTE, and soon. Other present and next generation wide area wireless access networktechnologies can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 500employing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture tofacilitate the combined services of circuit-switched and packet-switchedsystems. Communication system 500 can be overlaid or operably coupledwith system 100 of FIG. 1 and communication system 400 as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 400, which can modifya user profile associated with a user associated with a content serviceto generate an updated user profile according to consumption of mediacontent and user feedback information, determine a user contextaccording to information associated with user device, modify a set ofmedia content according to the user context to generate an updated setof media content, and present the updated set of content at apresentation device of the user via a personal media channel of the userassociated with the content service.

Communication system 500 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)540, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 530, and other networkelements of an IMS network 550. The IMS network 550 can establishcommunications between IMS-compliant communication devices (CDs) 501,502, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) CDs 503, 505, andcombinations thereof by way of a Media Gateway Control Function (MGCF)520 coupled to a PSTN network 560. The MGCF 520 need not be used when acommunication session involves IMS CD to IMS CD communications. Acommunication session involving at least one PSTN CD may utilize theMGCF 520.

IMS CDs 501, 502 can register with the IMS network 550 by contacting aProxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with aninterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF), which in turn, communicates with a ServingCSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with the HSS 540. To initiate acommunication session between CDs, an originating IMS CD 501 can submita Session Initiation Protocol (SIP INVITE) message to an originatingP-CSCF 504 which communicates with a corresponding originating S-CSCF506. The originating S-CSCF 506 can submit the SIP INVITE message to oneor more application servers (ASs) 517 that can provide a variety ofservices to IMS subscribers.

For example, the application servers 517 can be used to performoriginating call feature treatment functions on the calling party numberreceived by the originating S-CSCF 506 in the SIP INVITE message.Originating treatment functions can include determining whether thecalling party number has international calling services, call IDblocking, calling name blocking, 7-digit dialing, and/or is requestingspecial telephony features (e.g., *72 forward calls, *73 cancel callforwarding, *67 for caller ID blocking, and so on). Based on initialfilter criteria (iFCs) in a subscriber profile associated with a CD, oneor more application servers may be invoked to provide various calloriginating feature services.

Additionally, the originating S-CSCF 506 can submit queries to the ENUMsystem 530 to translate an E.164 telephone number in the SIP INVITEmessage to a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) if the terminatingcommunication device is IMS-compliant. The SIP URI can be used by anInterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 507 to submit a query to the HSS 540 toidentify a terminating S-CSCF 514 associated with a terminating IMS CDsuch as reference 502. Once identified, the I-CSCF 507 can submit theSIP INVITE message to the terminating S-CSCF 514. The terminating S-CSCF514 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 516 associated with theterminating CD 502. The P-CSCF 516 may then signal the CD 502 toestablish Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication services,thereby enabling the calling and called parties to engage in voiceand/or data communications. Based on the iFCs in the subscriber profile,one or more application servers may be invoked to provide various callterminating feature services, such as call forwarding, do not disturb,music tones, simultaneous ringing, sequential ringing, etc.

In some instances the aforementioned communication process issymmetrical. Accordingly, the terms “originating” and “terminating” inFIG. 5 may be interchangeable. It is further noted that communicationsystem 500 can be adapted to support video conferencing. In addition,communication system 500 can be adapted to provide the IMS CDs 501, 502with the multimedia and Internet services of communication system 400 ofFIG. 4.

If the terminating communication device is instead a PSTN CD such as CD503 or CD 505 (in instances where the cellular phone only supportscircuit-switched voice communications), the ENUM system 530 can respondwith an unsuccessful address resolution which can cause the originatingS-CSCF 506 to forward the call to the MGCF 520 via a Breakout GatewayControl Function (BGCF) 519. The MGCF 520 can then initiate the call tothe terminating PSTN CD over the PSTN network 560 to enable the callingand called parties to engage in voice and/or data communications.

It is further appreciated that the CDs of FIG. 5 can operate as wirelineor wireless devices. For example, the CDs of FIG. 5 can becommunicatively coupled to a cellular base station 521, a femtocell, aWiFi router, a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) baseunit, or another suitable wireless access unit to establishcommunications with the IMS network 550 of FIG. 5. The cellular accessbase station 521 can operate according to common wireless accessprotocols such as GSM, CDMA, TDMA, UMTS, WiMax, SDR, LTE, and so on.Other present and next generation wireless network technologies can beused by one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure. Accordingly,multiple wireline and wireless communication technologies can be used bythe CDs of FIG. 5.

Cellular phones supporting LTE can support packet-switched voice andpacket-switched data communications and thus may operate asIMS-compliant mobile devices. In this embodiment, the cellular basestation 521 may communicate directly with the IMS network 550 as shownby the arrow connecting the cellular base station 521 and the P-CSCF516.

Alternative forms of a CSCF can operate in a device, system, component,or other form of centralized or distributed hardware and/or software.Indeed, a respective CSCF may be embodied as a respective CSCF systemhaving one or more computers or servers, either centralized ordistributed, where each computer or server may be configured to performor provide, in whole or in part, any method, step, or functionalitydescribed herein in accordance with a respective CSCF. Likewise, otherfunctions, servers and computers described herein, including but notlimited to, the HSS, the ENUM server, the BGCF, and the MGCF, can beembodied in a respective system having one or more computers or servers,either centralized or distributed, where each computer or server may beconfigured to perform or provide, in whole or in part, any method, step,or functionality described herein in accordance with a respectivefunction, server, or computer.

The media content curator 430 of FIG. 4 can be operably coupled tocommunication system 500 for purposes similar to those described above.Media content curator 430 can perform function 462 and thereby providemedia curation services to the CDs 501, 502, 503 and 505 of FIG. 5similar to the functions described for server 130 of FIG. 1 inaccordance with method 300 of FIG. 3. CDs 501, 502, 503 and 505, whichcan be adapted with software to perform function 572 to utilize theservices of the media content curator 430 similar to the functionsdescribed for communication devices 116 of FIG. 1 in accordance withmethod 300 of FIG. 3. Media content curator 430 can be an integral partof the application server(s) 517 performing function 574, which can besubstantially similar to function 464 and adapted to the operations ofthe IMS network 550.

For illustration purposes only, the terms S-CSCF, P-CSCF, I-CSCF, and soon, can be server devices, but may be referred to in the subjectdisclosure without the word “server.” It is also understood that anyform of a CSCF server can operate in a device, system, component, orother form of centralized or distributed hardware and software. It isfurther noted that these terms and other terms such as DIAMETER commandsare terms can include features, methodologies, and/or fields that may bedescribed in whole or in part by standards bodies such as 3^(rd)Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). It is further noted that some orall embodiments of the subject disclosure may in whole or in partmodify, supplement, or otherwise supersede final or proposed standardspublished and promulgated by 3GPP.

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal 602 of acommunication system 600. Communication system 600 can be overlaid oroperably coupled with system 100 of FIG. 1, communication system 400,and/or communication system 500 as another representative embodiment ofsystem 100 of FIG. 1, communication system 400, and/or communicationsystem 500. The web portal 602 can be used for managing services ofsystem 100 of FIG. 1 and communication systems 400-500. A web page ofthe web portal 602 can be accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL)with an Internet browser using an Internet-capable communication devicesuch as those described in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 4-5. The web portal 602 canbe configured, for example, to access a media processor 406 and servicesmanaged thereby such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), a Video onDemand (VoD) catalog, an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG), or apersonal catalog (such as personal videos, pictures, audio recordings,etc.) stored at the media processor 406. The web portal 602 can also beused for provisioning IMS services described earlier, provisioningInternet services, provisioning cellular phone services, and so on.

The web portal 602 can further be utilized to manage and provisionsoftware applications 462-466, and 572-574 to adapt these applicationsas may be desired by subscribers and/or service providers of system 100of FIG. 1, and communication systems 400-500. For instance, users of theservices provided by media content curator 130 or server 430 can loginto their on-line accounts and provision the servers 130 or server 430with a feature that a user may want to program such as user profiles,provide contact information to server to enable it to communication withdevices described in FIGS. 1 and 4-5, and so on. Service providers canlog onto an administrator account to provision, monitor and/or maintainthe system 100 of FIG. 1 or server 430.

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device 700.Communication device 700 can serve in whole or in part as anillustrative embodiment of the devices depicted in FIG. 1, and FIGS. 4-5and can be configured to perform portions of method 300 of FIG. 3.

Communication device 700 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 702 (herein transceiver 702), a user interface (UI) 704, apower supply 714, a location receiver 716, a motion sensor 718, anorientation sensor 720, and a controller 706 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 702 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 702 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 704 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 708 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device700. The keypad 708 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 700 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad 708 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 704 can further include a display710 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 700. In anembodiment where the display 710 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 708 can be presented by way of the display 710 withnavigation features.

The display 710 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 700 can be adapted to present a user interface withgraphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by a userwith a touch of a finger. The touch screen display 710 can be equippedwith capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology todetect how much surface area of a user's finger has been placed on aportion of the touch screen display. This sensing information can beused to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functionsof the user interface. The display 710 can be an integral part of thehousing assembly of the communication device 700 or an independentdevice communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface(such as a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 704 can also include an audio system 712 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 712 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 712 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI704 can further include an image sensor 713 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 714 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 700 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable applications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 716 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 700 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 718can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 700 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 720 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device700 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 700 can use the transceiver 702 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 706 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 700.

Other components not shown in FIG. 7 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 700 can include a reset button (not shown). The reset button canbe used to reset the controller 706 of the communication device 700. Inyet another embodiment, the communication device 700 can also include afactory default setting button positioned, for example, below a smallhole in a housing assembly of the communication device 700 to force thecommunication device 700 to re-establish factory settings. In thisembodiment, a user can use a protruding object such as a pen or paperclip tip to reach into the hole and depress the default setting button.The communication device 700 can also include a slot for adding orremoving an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)card. SIM cards can be used for identifying subscriber services,executing programs, storing subscriber data, and so forth.

The communication device 700 as described herein can operate with moreor less of the circuit components shown in FIG. 7. These variantembodiments can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

The communication device 700 can be adapted to perform the functions ofdevices of FIG. 1, the media processor 406, the media devices 408, orthe portable communication devices 416 of FIG. 4, as well as the IMS CDs501-502 and PSTN CDs 503-505 of FIG. 5. It will be appreciated that thecommunication device 700 can also represent other devices that canoperate in system of FIG. 1, communication systems 400-500 of FIGS. 4-5such as a gaming console and a media player. In addition, the controller706 can be adapted in various embodiments to perform the functions462-466 and 572-574, respectively.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope of theclaims described below. For example, in one embodiment, the system cantrain a model using one or more elements of a viewing history, anelectronic program guide, metadata extracted from content, and socialmedia data. A machine learning algorithm can process geolocation,calendars, real-time broadcast feeds, and specifics of user devices tocreate recommendations, targeted channel list, and/or specific indexesor streams. In one embodiment, the system can summarize a video or atrailer based on knowledge of the user's social preferences (e.g.,personalized curation). The system can summarize further generatedsummarized video for a group of viewers, such as a family, where all ofthe social preferences of the entire group are aggregated across all theindividual user preferences.

In one embodiment, the system can create connections between relatedmedia content. For example, if a news event happens in one area ofinterest, then this event may give rise to a related happening in adifferent (but somehow related) field interest. Once the system hasestablished (from past trends) that the viewer is interested in bothfields, then the system can present media content from both fields in alinked fashion upon the occurrence of the event in the first field. Inone embodiment, the system can provide smart television schedulingthrough the personal media channel. The system can schedule an order inwhich programs, clips, or sub-channels are shown to a user according tothe user's interests. Other embodiments can be used in the subjectdisclosure.

It should be understood that devices described in the exemplaryembodiments can be in communication with each other via various wirelessand/or wired methodologies. The methodologies can be links that aredescribed as coupled, connected and so forth, which can includeunidirectional and/or bidirectional communication over wireless pathsand/or wired paths that utilize one or more of various protocols ormethodologies, where the coupling and/or connection can be direct (e.g.,no intervening processing device) and/or indirect (e.g., an intermediaryprocessing device such as a router).

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 800 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethods described above. One or more instances of the machine canoperate, for example, as the media content curator 430, the mediaprocessor 106, the mobile communication device 116, the mediapresentation device 108, the computer device 118, and other devices ofFIGS. 1, and 4-5. In some embodiments, the machine may be connected(e.g., using a network 826) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient user machine in a server-client user network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet, a smart phone, a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge,or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a communication device of the subject disclosureincludes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video ordata communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, theterm “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machinesthat individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) ofinstructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.

The computer system 800 may include a processor (or controller) 802(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a graphics processing unit(GPU, or both), a main memory 804 and a static memory 806, whichcommunicate with each other via a bus 808. The computer system 800 mayfurther include a display unit 810 (e.g., a liquid crystal display(LCD), a flat panel, or a solid state display). The computer system 800may include an input device 812 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 814 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 816, a signal generationdevice 818 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 820. In distributed environments, the embodiments described inthe subject disclosure can be adapted to utilize multiple display units810 controlled by two or more computer systems 800. In thisconfiguration, presentations described by the subject disclosure may inpart be shown in a first of the display units 810, while the remainingportion is presented in a second of the display units 810.

The disk drive unit 816 may include a tangible computer-readable storagemedium 822 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g.,software 824) embodying any one or more of the methods or functionsdescribed herein, including those methods illustrated above. Theinstructions 824 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 804, the static memory 806, and/or within theprocessor 802 during execution thereof by the computer system 800. Themain memory 804 and the processor 802 also may constitute tangiblecomputer-readable storage media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Application specific integrated circuits andprogrammable logic array can use downloadable instructions for executingstate machines and/or circuit configurations to implement embodiments ofthe subject disclosure. Applications that may include the apparatus andsystems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronicand computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two ormore specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with relatedcontrol and data signals communicated between and through the modules,or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, theexample system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the subject disclosure, theoperations or methods described herein are intended for operation assoftware programs or instructions running on or executed by a computerprocessor or other computing device, and which may include other formsof instructions manifested as a state machine implemented with logiccomponents in an application specific integrated circuit or fieldprogrammable gate array. Furthermore, software implementations (e.g.,software programs, instructions, etc.) including, but not limited to,distributed processing or component/object distributed processing,parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also beconstructed to implement the methods described herein. Distributedprocessing environments can include multiple processors in a singlemachine, single processors in multiple machines, and/or multipleprocessors in multiple machines. It is further noted that a computingdevice such as a processor, a controller, a state machine or othersuitable device for executing instructions to perform operations ormethods may perform such operations directly or indirectly by way of oneor more intermediate devices directed by the computing device.

While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 822 is shown in anexample embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangiblecomputer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a singlemedium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database,and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets ofinstructions. The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shallalso be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable ofstoring or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machineand that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods ofthe subject disclosure. The term “non-transitory” as in a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage includes without limitation memories, drives,devices and anything tangible but not a signal per se.

The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordinglybe taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such asa memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only(non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable(volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a diskor tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more ofa tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, and HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are from time-to-timesuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Wireless standards for device detection (e.g.,RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth®, WiFi, Zigbee®)),and long-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) can be usedby computer system 800. In one or more embodiments, informationregarding use of services can be generated including services beingaccessed, media consumption history, user preferences, and so forth.This information can be obtained by various methods including userinput, detecting types of communications (e.g., video content vs. audiocontent), analysis of content streams, and so forth. The generating,obtaining and/or monitoring of this information can be responsive to anauthorization provided by the user. In one or more embodiments, ananalysis of data can be subject to authorization from user(s) associatedwith the data, such as an opt-in, an opt-out, acknowledgementrequirements, notifications, selective authorization based on types ofdata, and so forth.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Theexemplary embodiments can include combinations of features and/or stepsfrom multiple embodiments. Other embodiments may be utilized and derivedtherefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Figuresare also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certainproportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized.Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

Less than all of the steps or functions described with respect to theexemplary processes or methods can also be performed in one or more ofthe exemplary embodiments. Further, the use of numerical terms todescribe a device, component, step or function, such as first, second,third, and so forth, is not intended to describe an order or functionunless expressly stated so. The use of the terms first, second, thirdand so forth, is generally to distinguish between devices, components,steps or functions unless expressly stated otherwise. Additionally, oneor more devices or components described with respect to the exemplaryembodiments can facilitate one or more functions, where the facilitating(e.g., facilitating access or facilitating establishing a connection)can include less than every step needed to perform the function or caninclude all of the steps needed to perform the function.

In one or more embodiments, a processor (which can include a controlleror circuit) has been described that performs various functions. Itshould be understood that the processor can be multiple processors,which can include distributed processors or parallel processors in asingle machine or multiple machines. The processor can be used insupporting a virtual processing environment. The virtual processingenvironment may support one or more virtual machines representingcomputers, servers, or other computing devices. In such virtualmachines, components such as microprocessors and storage devices may bevirtualized or logically represented. The processor can include a statemachine, application specific integrated circuit, and/or programmablegate array including a Field PGA. In one or more embodiments, when aprocessor executes instructions to perform “operations”, this caninclude the processor performing the operations directly and/orfacilitating, directing, or cooperating with another device or componentto perform the operations.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can beseen that various features are grouped together in a single embodimentfor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method ofdisclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subjectmatter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimedsubject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: a processing systemincluding a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructionsthat, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance ofoperations, the operations comprising: monitoring viewing of mediacontent by a user associated with a content service; accessing userfeedback information associated with the viewing of the media content,wherein the user feedback information is based on an implicit userreaction to viewing the media content, and wherein the implicit userreaction includes viewing simultaneous media content; modifying a userprofile associated with the user to generate an updated user profileaccording to the viewing of the media content and the user feedbackinformation associated with the viewing of the media content; selectinga set of media content for a personal media channel associated with theuser according to the updated user profile; determining a user contextaccording to information associated with a user device of the user,wherein the user context includes current activity of the user;determining neighbors having a similar context; applying machinelearning to the user context and context of neighbors to infer usermoods and desires; modifying the set of media content according to theuser moods and desires to generate an updated set of viewable mediacontent, wherein a type of media content is eliminated from the set ofmedia content in the updated set of viewable media content according tothe user context and the neighbors with the similar context, and whereinthe type of media content eliminated from the set of media contentcorresponds to a format of the type of media content, a delivery schemeof the type of media content, or a combination thereof; and presentingthe updated set of viewable media content at a presentation device ofthe user via the personal media channel of the user associated with thecontent service.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the implicit userreaction includes skipping a portion of the media content.
 3. The deviceof claim 2, wherein the modifying of the set of media content is furtheraccording to a change in the user context.
 4. The device of claim 1,wherein the user feedback information is further based on explicit userreaction to the media content.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the setof media content includes full length content, segments of content,content clips, personally generated content, or any combination thereof.6. The device of claim 1, wherein the user context further includes auser location, a time at the user location, environmentalcharacteristics of the user location, capabilities of the user device,or any combination thereof, and wherein the neighbors are located closeto the user location.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein viewing thesimultaneous media content includes tuning to regular channels while themedia content is being played.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein theuser context further includes a user mood.
 9. The device of claim 1,wherein the set of media content includes a first media content itemthat is selected based on a presentation limitation.
 10. The device ofclaim 9, wherein the presentation limitation is associated with acapability of the user device.
 11. The device of claim 9, wherein thepresentation limitation is associated with the current activity of theuser.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the set of media content isfurther modified by adding advertising according to the user context.13. The device of claim 1, wherein the presentation device is the userdevice, wherein the personal media channel is a television channelprovided to the user device by the content service.
 14. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the operations further comprise identifying an eventassociated with a social media service that is federated with thecontent service, wherein the set of media content is further modified byadding a second media content item according to the event responsive tothe identifying of the event.
 15. A method, comprising: modifying, by aprocessing system including a processor, a user profile associated witha user associated with a content service to generate an updated userprofile according to viewing of media content by the user and userfeedback information associated with the viewing of the media content,wherein the user feedback information is based on an implicit userreaction to the media content, and wherein the implicit user reactionincludes viewing simultaneous media content; selecting, by theprocessing system, a set of media content for a personal media channelassociated with the user according to the updated user profile;determining, by the processing system, a user context according toinformation associated with user device, wherein the user contextincludes current activity of the user; determining, by the processingsystem, neighbors having a similar context; applying machine learning,by the processing system, to the user context and context of neighborsto infer user moods and desires; modifying, by the processing system,the set of media content according to the user moods and desires togenerate an updated set of media content, wherein a type of mediacontent is eliminated from the set of media content in the updated setof media content according to the user context and the neighbors withthe similar context, and wherein the type of media content eliminatedfrom the set of media content corresponds to a format of the type ofmedia content, a delivery scheme of the type of media content, or acombination thereof; and presenting, by the processing system, theupdated set of media content at a presentation device of the user viathe personal media channel of the user associated with the contentservice.
 16. The method of claim 15, comprising: monitoring, by theprocessing system, the viewing of the media content by the userassociated with the content service; and accessing, by the processingsystem, the user feedback information associated with the viewing of themedia content, wherein the user feedback information is based on theimplicit user reaction to the media content.
 17. The method of claim 16,wherein the implicit user reaction includes skipping a portion of themedia content, and wherein the modifying of the set of media content isfurther according to a change in the user context.
 18. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the set of media content includes a first mediacontent item that is selected based on a presentation limitationassociated with the current activity of the user.
 19. A non-transitory,machine-readable medium, comprising executable instructions that, whenexecuted by a processing system including a processor, facilitateperformance of operations, the operations comprising: modifying a userprofile associated with a user associated with a content service togenerate an updated user profile according to viewing of media contentby the user and user feedback information associated with the viewing ofthe media content, wherein the user feedback information is based on animplicit user reaction to the media content, and wherein the implicituser reaction includes viewing simultaneous media content; determining auser context according to information associated with a user device,wherein the user context includes current activity of the user;determining neighbors having a similar context; applying machinelearning to the user context and context of neighbors to infer usermoods and desires; modifying a set of media content according to theuser moods and desires to generate an updated set of media content,wherein a type of media content is eliminated from the set of mediacontent in the updated set of media content according to the usercontext and the neighbors with the similar context, and wherein the typeof media content eliminated from the set of media content corresponds toa format of the type of media content, a delivery scheme of the type ofmedia content, or a combination thereof; and presenting the updated setof media content at a presentation device of the user via a personalmedia channel of the user associated with the content service.
 20. Thenon-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim 19, wherein themodifying of the set of media content is further according to a changein the user context, and wherein the personal media channel is atelevision channel provided to the user device by the content service.